A Well Groomed Little Fish

Miss has been through a spate of Firsts recently.
For instance, She decided one day that She is Too Big Girl for the booster seat, and is rocking the grown up chair at the dinner table! To the great distress of my floors.  Ahem.
But here are some more of Her new adventures:

First Haircut
Goodness were the three of us girls in some serious need of a spa day.  I was a mess all over, Little One's hair was starting to tempt fairy tale princes to climb it, and Missy?  Yikes.
I have such a terrible fondness for those little curls, Peanuts.  I could just not bear to chop them!  But we had a serious business in front, party in the back situation going on, and I finally had to give up.
So we had a girls day at the salon, and got collectively groomed and gussied up.
Little One went first and of course loved it.

Missy reluctantly followed, since Little One had survived, after all.

 

As long as I held one hand and Little One held the other, She braved the hair washing basin.

And (as long I held Her hand) She allowed the trimming to commence.

Afterward, admiring Her new 'do in the mirror, She finally smiled and declared,
"This great Mama! T'anks you, Lady, makin' me all GOH-geous now!" 

Which, of course, She is!

First Dentist Visit
Because of Her extreme wariness of strangers and new situations, I confess I was a bit concerned about how this would go.  But Little One went first (rocked it),

 

The hygienist was fantastic with the kids, and Miss did GREAT too!

 
She not only cooperated, but had fun. Now each night She flosses and brushes diligently, refusing to stop until She has scrubbed each and every pearly white. Then She flashes me a big grin and asks, "My teef all shiny Mommy? Lookin' shiny?" 

First Swimming Lessons
Actually Her first organized lessons of any kind, this summer Missy took swimming class with Her sister.  Little One is a veteran (and probably part fish) so She literally dove right in and swam Her heart out all summer.

Little Miss cried and screamed like the pool was full of boiling oil for the first week.
She cried on the way in, She cried the whole lesson through- while following instructions to the letter.  She did everything She was asked to do, She just wasn't happy about it.

But as She began to trust Her (excellent) teacher, She gradually calmed down and was soon having fun, looking forward to lessons, and full of pride in Her new skills.

She started the summer not wanting to put a blessed toe into the water, and now can do all sorts of swimmy things. Which She practices nightly in the bathtub.

I love that Her sister gives Her so much comfort and encouragement. I love that holding my hand is still magical, like kisses for owies.  I love that while She is cautious, or even afraid, She still goes forward and tries Her best.  Isn't that the very definition of bravery?   As She goes on to so many more firsts, I hope She meets them all with such courage.
And remembers that we're always here with a hand, just in case.